Pinot Noir (pronounced as pee-no no-ah) is one of the most popular and widely planted grape varieties in the world. One can describe the terroir in which the Pinot Noir grapes are grown just by indulging in the wine.
Pinot Noir does have a defined homeland, which is Burgundy in France. Some of the most prestigious and most expensive Pinot Noirs of the world are produced here. Pinot Noir is grown in the Northern part of the Cote d’Or in Burgundy, where the climate is moderate to cool and the grapes can slowly ripe during the late summer and autumn. The Pinot Noirs from this region tend to display beautiful aromas of redcurrant and sour cherries, combined with leather and mushroom notes. These wines can be easily paired with braised meat and dishes rich in spices. However, the Burgundy Pinot Noirs tend to be expensive, so maybe you can look for the same style of wine made in Alto Adige, Italy.
Alto Adige is located in the northern part of the Italian peninsula, surrounded by the Alps. Here, the climate tends to be warmer, compared to Burgundy. However, the high altitude and the surrounding mountain ranges ensure a high diurnal range, with temperatures that go down during the night. Pinot Noirs from this region tend to be cheaper than the Burgundy ones and they display similar characters, especially those produced from grapes grown at high altitudes. An Alto Adige Pinot Noir could be the perfect choice both for an elegant dinner and for an easier aperitif with friends.
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean, you can also find Pinot Noirs grown in the states of Oregon and Washington in the United States. The ones from Oregon are some of the best Pinot Noirs in the world. The climate in the western part of these two states is cool to moderate, with high rainfall throughout the growing season that helps the grapes to retain the acidity. Here, you can find beautiful Pinot Noirs with vibrant acidity that can be cellared for 5 to 10 years. They display elegant notes of mushrooms, leather, and forest floor, perfect to impress friends.
However, Pinot Noir is not only used to produce red wines. In fact, it is widely planted for the production of white and rosé sparkling wines made in the traditional method; the most famous example is Champagne. Pinot Noir is used in the blend to produce some of the best Champagnes: the grapes are pressed without the skin resulting in a wine that is perfectly white. It is used in sparkling wine production for its high acidity and elegant aromas of wet stone, flint and grapefruit notes.
The Pinot Noir grapes grown in the Southern Hemisphere are mostly used for the production of traditional method sparkling wines, especially in Southern Australia and New Zealand. However, the Central Otago region of the Southern New Zealand island, produces some of the best Pinot Noirs of the world. The climate is arid but cool, so the grapes can ripen fully maintaining their acidity and fruity aromas. If you want to surprise someone during dinner bring a Central Otago Pinot Noir. The wine will display characters of Burgundy and the fully ripe aromas of Oregon.
Ceylon Spirits has a wide range of Pinot Noir wines covering various regions and budgets
